Abstract: An equine training aid for enabling a horse, pony, donkey or the like, particularly dressage or show horses, to adopt an optimum outline or profile. The training aid includes a self-centering, continuous loop portion (1), configured, during lunging or riding, to be in contact tension with the equine wherein the continuous loop portion (1) includes a front section (1a) and a rear section (1b) each of which are linked by a linker such as the form of rings (2a) and pivotal clips (2b). Each of the loop sections (1a) and (1b) additionally has two adjustment mechanisms (e.g. sliders; (3)) to allow each loop section to be lengthened or shortened and both ends of the rear section (1b) terminate in a safety loop (4) which allows rotation of the device to a limited extent and prevents the rear section of the loop portion (1b) from slipping down the hind legs of the equine when the device is being dismantled and removed from the equine.

Abstract: A padded construction useful for straps or irregularly-shaped articles is provided which includes a pair of opposed outer panels and a core sandwiched between the outer panels with side margins extending between the latter and having the core between the side margins. One of the outer panels and the side margins are formed of a closed cell neoprene synthetic resin foam material, whereas the core includes a length of synthetic resin (e.g., nylon or polyester) webbing. In one embodiment, the outer panels and side margins are integrated to present a tubular section of the neoprene foam material, and the core is disposed within the tubular section; an exterior decorative leather piece may be attached by sewing through the tubular subassembly. In another embodiment, the core includes an internal leather strap to which the webbing is attached, and neoprene is first applied to the core subassembly and is wrapped around the side margins thereof in an overlapping fashion.

Abstract: A self-extinguishing fire resistant elastic strap material is disclosed, as is a method of fabricating the same. The material is comprised of a tubular fabric of fireproof yarns having a hollow core, elastic and hence combustible yarns being disposed entirely within the core, the elastic yarns being frictionally clampingly engaged at spaced positions to the surrounding fabric, the elastic yarns being tensioned in the formed condition of the fabric to effect foreshortening of the fabric when the tension in the elastic yarns is relaxed.

Abstract: A machine for accumulating folded sheets into brochures wherein the sheets are stapled to each other along fold lines has a rotary transporting device with several axially parallel saddle-like carriers for opened sheets and pushers which advance the sheets along their carriers into the range of a stapling device. The sheets are fed to the carriers at two or more stations which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the transporting device and open the sheets shortly before the sheets reach the respective carriers so that each sheet which is deposited at the first station directly straddles its carrier and each sheet which is deposited at a next station directly straddles the previously deposited sheet. the stapling device has several stapling units which perform a pendulum movement about the axis of the transporting device and are operated to simultaneously apply staples to two or more brochures.

Abstract: A body strap component of equestrian harness or saddlery equipment, such as a girth, surcingle or roller, is disclosed which comprises an elongate tubular webbing sheath formed of woven yarn composed of staple fibers of a polyester synthetic polymer material. The webbing sheath is filled by an insert filling composed of a strip of porous foam expanded plastics material. The ends of the sheath are sealed and are provided with relatively short end straps carrying buckle fastening fittings. Adjacent the end straps, a longitudinally-extending reinforcing band is secured to the sheath and has an elasticity less than the elasticity of the sheath material.